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In this heartwarming and insightful episode, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Matty Dalrymple—thriller author, podcaster, speaker, and indie publishing pro. 

Matty’s not only the writer behind the Ann Kinnear Suspense Novels and Lizzy Ballard Thrillers, but also a passionate advocate for the power of short fiction—and trust me, she has so much wisdom to share.

We kick things off with Matty’s love of all things nautical (yes, even boat-watching on vacation!), and quickly dive into how she first began writing short fiction. What started as a way to keep her readers engaged between novels quickly turned into a cornerstone of her writing life. 

Matty’s “snippets” from the Ann Kinnear universe are fan favorites—and she now has a growing collection of suspenseful short reads that offer bite-sized thrills and deep character moments.

Matty walks us through the practical side of indie publishing short fiction, sharing tips on affordable cover design, working with beta readers, and even bringing her stories to life through audio narration. 

Her approach is smart, approachable, and encouraging—perfect for writers who want to do more without burning out or breaking the bank.

One of my favorite parts of our conversation? Hearing how short fiction can act as a creative refresh. Whether she’s exploring a quirky character like Garak Mazur (Ann’s ghostly, curmudgeonly mentor) or experimenting with settings and ideas that don’t quite fit a full novel, Matty embraces short stories as a playful way to stay inspired—and sometimes, they even lead to new books she hadn’t planned on writing!

And if you’ve ever wondered whether there’s a real market for short fiction? Matty’s answer is a resounding yes. Her short stories continue to sell (even with minimal promotion!), and they’ve become an unexpected income stream as well as a way to keep her readers excited and engaged.

We wrap up with encouragement for any writer who’s curious about short fiction but unsure where to start. Matty’s advice? Don’t overthink it—just try it out. A short story can be a creative experiment, a reader gift, or even a new path forward in your writing career.

Tune in and fall in love with the possibilities of short fiction, all over again